I don't know what to do(6)

sweepmore

I thought Hospice Pallitive Care was a good thing, until now.  I am the daughter of an 81 YO Alz Mom.  She lives with me and has been going to a day program.  She has no major issues besides Alz.  I got Hospice because I thought I would get some relief.  Her anxiety (severe itching) was off the charts.  They were going to give me respite care (I have burnout and health problems) starting on Friday.  Hospice told me not to take anything to their Hospital unit (clothes, etc.).  I did anyway.  The RN said they would file her fingernails, find anxiety meds that work, and treat a yeast infection.They never expected me to show up the next day.  She was in a dark room unconscious.  The RN was hovering over her.  I asked how long she had been asleep and they said since I dropped her off the day before.  They had given her Halodol, Morphine, Seconal (sp?) and another dose of Morphine that morning.  She had not eaten or drank anything since I left.  No IV either.  I explained to them that she was in for Pallitive care not end of life.  I have a video of her in the room laughing and walking around when I took her in.  After staying in the room, I was able to wake her and push some fluids and food.  The next day I went to get her and the had giver her Hydroxine.  I washed her face to wake her and we brought her home.  She slept till noon and I fed her.  She stayed up the rest of the day watching movies.  She was talking gibberish, but could walk with help.  I took her yesterday to the day program and she was laughing, talking (still some gibberish) and even said my name.  This morning I woke her up to bathe her and she can't walk.  She is full on gibberish.  I have so much guilt now and I don't know what to do.  I let the hospice go that I was using and am in the process of getting another one.  There were numerous infractions with them. Help me.

SusanB-dil

oh Sweepmore - I am so sorry... that is heartbreaking!  I know others would weigh-in, but ((hugs)) and so very glad you are watching out for her.

NuttyProfessor

Oh my god what a horrible story.  And frightening.  That goes on the list of "things to watch out for".

Your mom needs to be evaluated by a physician asap.  Something may have happened during that time she was lying flat and overdosed on sedatives.    She will need brain imaging so probably best to take her to an emergency room.

I'm sure you never imagined that your "respite" would have turned out like this.  It's very lucky you were on top of things by checking in.  Over-sedation like that is most definitely not what hospice care is all about....I hesitate to say this but you may have a malpractice case.   Did they give a reason for what they did??

M1

Wow.  Sounds like a major miscommunication somewhere.  I am glad you got her back home.

I wonder if discussion is warranted with a supervisor, if you have the energy?  Or maybe best to just let it go and work with a different agency.  Respite care--particularly short-term--should not result in overmedication like that.  Scary for sure.

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Stori

I’m so sorry they treated your loved one that way. 

sweepmore

Thank you to all that responded.  I have another heartbreak.  Yesterday she tested Positive for Covid and is in the hospital.  I found out that a worker in her day program was allowed to work with Covid symptoms.  When she left after her shift she was tested and had Covid.  I feel so alone.